The Role of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Breast Cancer Management

Although it is generally accepted that axillary dissection provides no survival advantage in patients with breast cancer, it is commonly regarded as a reliable method of assessing nodal status and treating regional disease. However, it is time to consider eliminating routine axillary dissection in patients who are clinically node-negative. A sentinel lymph node biopsy may assess axillary nodal status while obviating a full axillary dissection. At present, axillary dissection remains the standard approach for the surgical management of all patients with invasive carcinoma of the breast, regardless of tumor size or patient age, though it is unnecessary for patients with small intraductal carcinomas.